Game



y 5, 1943. A. F. EMCH 2,320,270

GAME

Filed April 30, 1941 J3 J5? FRI-M1. z aas 6 1 45.9

\ frzaglclmax Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED STATES eATENT OFFICE Arnold F. Emch, Chicago, 111.

Application April 30, 1941, Serial No. 391,016

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a novelty game. It comprises game apparatus adapted to be used in accordance with rules of play and procedure as will be clearly explained as the description progresses.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the game apparatus of my invention in the position which the parts occupy before the beginning of play, a part of the view being broken away and the cover removed to illustrate the structure; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing structural features, the cover being shown in position in this view; Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the, manner in which the pieces are moved during play; and

Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, are plan views showing the game pieces in different positions which they may occupy in the course of play, the pieces being shown with the indicia side uppermost to facilitate illustration of the rules of procedure.

The game of my invention is based upon a law of progression, as will be explained, by virtue of which the answers to many different types of questions may be revealed by the operator of the apparatus when the game pieces are moved in accordance with a proper procedure by the person seeking an answer to the question and while the operator has his back turned or is out of the room. While the game apparatus could be designed to permit a manner of operation somewhat different from that which I specifically disclose, I prefer to utilize a system wherein a certain number'of pieces is removed from the left hand side of a row of pieces and placed at the right hand side of such row; without, however, disturbing the order of the moved pieces. The structure employed facilitates storage of the pieces and assures properoperation. I shall first refer to the structure and then describe features of the game by reference to illustrative moves and simple illustrative answers elicited as theresult of such moves,

The apparatus itself. comprises a game board H) which may have a cover II, but which, in any case, has. a center top rectangular recess l2 in which game pieces I3 and M are adapted tobe stored. and moved during the course of play. While the cover is in position for the purpose of supporting the pieces l3 and 14 against movement, a: spacer l5 may be disposed in the recess H to prevent shifting movement of the game pieces. The game board Ill may be formed of any suitable relatively strong and hard material,

such as wood or the like, and the spacer l5 may suitably comprise the same type of material. The pieces l3 and I4 likewise may be formed of any suitable material, such as a molding compound, plastic, or the like, which is easily and inexpensively given a final shape, which will have a pleasing appearance, and on which indicia may be applied, in intaglio or other form, to produce smooth but substantially permanent indicia on one face.

The pieces [3 and i4 may be substantially identical except for having different indicia thereon. They are of such dimension that the number selected, twelve in the present instance, may be fitted side by side in two rows, such as shown, and substantially just fill approximately one-third of the rectangular space defined by the recess l2. This leaves a space which, when the spacer I5 is removed, will accommodate any number of pieces when moved from the left side of a row, as illustrated in Fig. 3. As there shown, three pieces l3 are to be moved from the left hand side to the right hand side of theupper row of game pieces. These pieces are first brought down to the normally open middle space, and moved to the extreme right hand side. The remaining pieces l3 are then slid all the way to the left, and the three pieces are then slid up to occupy a position at the. right hand side of the line of pieces, the order of such three pieces, however, remaining the same.

To assist those playing. the game in immediately identifying the various positions which the pieces occupy, and also to permit ready counting of the pieces, the center open space. is marked off, as shown, to indicate the twelve positions. Thus, the three pieces in Fig. 3 were initially in positions 1 to 3, inclusive, and, on movement, they will occupy positions 10, 11 and 12. The center opening, therefore, in addition to serving the function of a guide for the movement of game pieces, also acts as an index to determine the position which any single piece occupies, and this is of considerable importance in playing the game,-as will be shown. The position numbers; 1 to l2'preferably are applied in such a mannor as not to be readily obliterated, such as by the use of an inlay in the body of the game board [0, or by the utilization of a separate bottom linen'such as a thin layer of. molding compound or the like, in which the position numbers are impressed in such a way as not. readily to. be. scratched from the surface by the sliding of the game pieces over them. It is desirable also that they surface on which the pieces rest should be relatively smooth to facilitate free movement.

I have pointed out hereinabove that the game pieces l3 and 14 may be identical except for the indicia applied thereto. Preferably, however, I finish the two sets of pieces by the use of a different colored plastic or the like so that the pieces in one row are readily distinguishable from the pieces of the other row. Employing two distinct colors avoids the likelihood of confusion in the event that the pieces of the two rows should inadvertently be moved at the same time. i

I shall now refer to Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, in order to describe the indicia applied to lower faces of the game pieces, and the manner in which this indicia and the arrangement of the game apparatus are utilized in my novel game. In these three figures, the pieces are shown with the indicia side uppermost to facilitate illustration and explanation, but I wish to point out again that, normally, during play, the indicia side is down.

The game pieces 13 are marked, as shown, with the months January to December, inclusive, and also with the numerals l to 11, inclusive, the game piece marked to identify the month of December bearing the figure The game pieces M are marked, in order, 1 to 9, inclusive, then with the numerals l to 11, inclusive, then with the word No followed by the word Yes, and finally with the numeral 0. The game pieces l4 marked 1 to 7, inclusive, are also marked with the days of the week in the usual order. The various markings referred to are illustrative, but I have found them especially advantageous so far as the arrangement and rules of play of my particular novelty game are concerned.

The game may be played with the pieces in any position so long as the general order remains the same. Let us assume, however, that the game is started with the pieces in the positions shown in Fig. 4, and that two questions are asked the operator. We shall further assume that these two questions are: In what month was I married? and On what day was I married?. The person asking the questions would be told to move a number of chips [3 to the right corresponding to the month in which he was married, and a number of chips 14 to the right corresponding to the day of the week on which he was married. The moves wouldbe made without ever lifting the game pieces from the playing surface comprising the rectangular open space l2, by resorting to the style of movement shown in Fig. 3. First, the pieces are moved from one row and then from the other row. If, however, the game pieces in the two rows are of diiferent colors, they may be moved together and it will be exceedingly unlikely that the order of their arrangement will be disturbed or that the pieces will be placed in the wrong row. It will be seen by looking at Fig. that two pieces l3 have been moved and four pieces 14 have been moved, indicating that the person asking the question has moved two pieces I3 (for February, the second month) and four pieces M (for Wednesday, the fourth day of the week).

The operator returns, and when he picks up a'game piece l3 in a certain position, he will be assured that the indicia on this game piece will show the, proper answer to the first question, providing the moves have been properly made. In order to determine which piece to select, he must know in advance his key number; that is to say, a number corresponding to the position from which he will lift the particular game piece which will answer the question. In order to determine his key number, only three basic rules must be kept in mind. When the pieces are in the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein the numbers on the game pieces correspond to the position numbers, then the key number is 12. If the piece from which the key number is to be determined (and the key numbermayalso be determined by reference toany piece) is less in value than the position number, then the piece number is subtracted from the position number.

' Thus, for example, if we look at the piece in Fig.

5 bearing the indicia Feb. 2, we find that the key number is 10. If the piece number is larger than the position number, then 12 is added to the position number, and the number of the piece is subtracted therefrom. Thus, if we look at the game piece 3 in the number 1 position in Fig. 5, we see that it is larger than the position number. We therefore add 12 to 1, the position number, yielding the sum of 13, and subtract 3, the piece number, therefrom, which gives the key number as 10, the same as figured out by referenceto the game piece bearing number 2.

Coming back to the questionspresumed to have been asked and having in mind that the key number is 12 when the pieces initially are in the positions shown in Fig. 4, the operator would return to the room with this key number in mind. The game pieces would now be in the position shown in Fig. 5, but this would be unknown to the operator. He would, however, pick up game piece in position 12 in the upper row showing the questioner was married in February, and then pick up game piece in position 12 in the lower row, showing that his wedding day was on a Wednesday. In the act of 'picking up these pieces, the operator not only gives the answer to the questions but, in his own mind, determines the key number for the next question.

To further illustrate the manner of play, let us assume that the question is then asked, Was it a bright, sunshiny day when I was married?. The questioner is told to move'two pieces to the right for a No answer and three pieces to the right for a Yes answer, corresponding to the number of letters in the word. Assume that he moves two pieces. The game pieces will then be in the position illustrated in Fig. 6. In order to determine the answerto a Yes or No'question, the operator takes the key number and adds 8 to it. It should be borne in mind that the pieces could readily be laid out to provide-a different formula for determining the answer to a Yes or No question,,but, with the indicia asshown, the rule described will yield the properanswer. Looking at the bottom row of game pieces in Fig. 5, we immediately see that the key number is 8. This was determined by taking position number 12 and subtractingi from it, 4

being the number on the game piece occupying the twelfth position. We then add 8 to the key number 8 for the Yes or "-No question and obtain 16. Since 16 is morethan 12 we naturally subtract 12 from it, leaving 4, and, if the ,opera-' tor, on returning, picks up the game piece I4 in Yes and No answer depends, of course, on the position of the Words Yes land No in the sequence. This number always isitwo lessthan the position which the wordNo occupies the sequence.

. By means of my arrangement, an operator is .able correctly to answer many different types .of

:questions than the simple ones given for illustrative purposes. Obviously, also, it makes-n 'difierence what the position of thechips isas long .asthey arein proper general order and theoperator is able todeterm-ine hiskey number. The exact age can be answered by counting 10v for each game piece in the top row and one for each game-piece in the bottom row. Two questions may be answered at the same time bythe useof .the two rows of game pieces, or a Yes or No question may be asked along with some question the answer to which can be determinedby suitable indicia carried by the remaining row.

I have pointed out that the game may be played quite independently of the positions of the game pieces at the start so long as the proper sequence relationship of the pieces is maintained. Assume that play is interrupted with the game pieces in the positions shown in Fig. 6 The operator may then place the spacer (which may also be called a keeper) between the two rows, place the cover in position and put the ame apparatus away. At any time when play is resumed, possibly several days later, the game pieces will still be in proper position. All the operator must do is know his key number. Looking at Fig. 5, the operator determines that his key number for the upper row of game pieces is 10, and, for the lower row, it is 6. He is asked, Am I married, and, if the answer is Yes, how many years have I been married?. Assume that the questioner has been married five years. He moves three pieces I4 for Yes and five pieces 13 for 5 years. The game piece bearing the word Yes will now be in number 2 position, and the game piece l3 bearing the number 5 will be in the number position. Adding 8 to 6 (the key number) and obtaining the answer 14, the operator will lift the game piece I4 in the second position and have the answer Yes, and lift the game piece l3 in the number 10 position (10 is the key number) and get the answer 5.

One of the features of my invention comprises supporting the game pieces on the game board in such a way that they are readily and quickly moved, but wherein any movement of a game piece is substantially prevented which will disturb the order, or sequence position, thereof.

Thus it will be seen that there are various features and advantages in the game apparatus of my invention which make possible the described method of play at any time, without error, and in an expeditious manner. When the manner of play is also considered, it is clear that I have invented a game which is of great interest and amusement, and startling in its effects.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Game apparatus comprising a game board having a rectangular playing surface and rectangular game pieces supported thereon, said playing surface being smooth to permit ready sliding of the game pieces and being depressed below the top surface of the game board a distance corresponding approximately to the thickness of the game pieces, said game pieces disposed in two lines, and each line occupying about one-third of the game surface, an open space between the two lines also comprising approximately one-third of the game surface and providing a way through which game pieces may be moved from one end of one said-line toxanother without disturbing their general order, each game piece inloneline being readily distinguishable from each game pieceof the, other line, and the said game pieces in each line bearing indicia comprising a numeri- .cal sequence by means of which an operator may determine an answer to a question when the game pieces are moved togive effect to the-se quence provided thereon, said'open space between the two lines of pieces bearing position numbers whereby to cooperate with the indiciaon the game pieces in playing the game, the game pieces being. sufiicient in. number to entirely fill the space comprising the two said lines, and the said open spacebeingentirelydevoicl of pieces when said pieces are in position in the two said lines. 2.. Game apparatus of the character described, comprising two series of game pieces, twelve-in each series, said game pieces being substantially rectangular, one such series of game pieces bearing indicia identifying the months of the year, and also bearing in the same order as the months occur the numerals 1 to 11, inclusive, the game piece identifying the month December bearing the numeral 0, and the second series bearing in order the days of the week with the numerals 1 to 7, inclusive, the numerals 8 and 9, the word No, the word Yes, and finally the numeral 0, said game pieces adapted to be placed with the indicia side downwardly in two lines corresponding to the two series, and being adapted for movement from left to right, keeping the sequence order unchanged, whereby an operator may determine the answer to many types of questions, including any question the answer to which is Yes or No, or corresponds to a simple number, a day of the week, or a month of the year.

3. Game apparatus of the character described, comprising a series of twelve game pieces, said series bearing in order the days of the week with the numerals 1 to '7, inclusive, the numerals 8 and 9, the word No, the word Yes, and finally the numeral 0, said game pieces adapted to be placed with the indicia side downwardly in a line corresponding to the series, and being adapted for movement from left to right, keeping the sequence order unchanged, whereby an operator may determine the answer to many types of questions, including any question the answer to which is Yes or No.

4. Game apparatus of the character described, comprising a series of twelve game pieces, said game pieces being substantially rectangular, said series bearing indicia comprising in the aggregate a numerical sequence, two pieces in the sequence bearing successively and in order the words No and Yes, respectively, said game pieces adapted to be placed with the indicia side downwardly in a line corresponding to the series, and being adapted for movement from left to right, keeping the sequence order unchanged, whereby an operator may determine the answer to any question which is Yes or No if the questioner moves a number of pieces from left to right corresponding to the number of letters in the word comprising the answer, by determining the key number of the sequence as determined by the relative positions of the pieces, and adding thereto a number which is two less than the position which the word No occupies in the sequence.

5. Game apparatus comprising in combination a game board and game pieces, the game board having a relatively large, elongated rectangular top' recess, two series of game pieces, each series comprising twelve pieces,'disposed in said'recess,

the game pieces Y being rectangular and each .series fully occupying one-third of the said recess,leaving an unoccupied space one piece wide through which the pieces are adapted to be -moved one at a time or a plurality at a time from one end of a series line to another, said open space being'marked to show twelve positions corresponding to original positions of the game pieces, one series, of game pieces bearing the months running from January to December, respectively, and an, arithmetical sequencemunning from one to eleven; respectively, with the symbol *0? on the piece. following the piece numbered eleven. and. the second series bearing, respectively, the days of the week and the numbers one to seven, the figures eight and nine, the word ffNo in the tenth position, the word Yes in the eleventh positionand the symbol 0 in the twelfth position, all in the order set out. a 6. Game apparatus ofithe character describe comprising means providing a series of surfaces bearing numbers in arithmetical sequence, and

additional characters having a sequence relation when-appearing in thel'same order as the said numbers, means providing a. series of positions with which to relate said first-mentioned series of surfaces as in playingv a game, means providing relative movement between said first-men?- tioned means and second -mentioned means without affecting th sequence order thereof and means concealing at least one of said series but permitting at least one member of such concealed series to be exposed at a time at one of said positions.

' ARNOLD F. EMCH, 

